In the absence of the Chair, it was –

Resolved – That Councillor A Hodson be appointed Chair for this meeting.

Members of the Panel are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests, in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

Members of the Panel were asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non pecuniary interests in connection with any application on the agenda and state the nature of the interest.

No such declarations were made.

The Director of Governance and Assurance reported upon an application received to re-licence a Vauxhall Astra, registration number EY60 VDT, beyond the normal overage date for a licensed private hire vehicle.  The vehicle had been licensed as a Private Hire Vehicle since 26January 2018 and the current licence was due to expire on 25 July 2020.  The date of first registration of the vehicle was 9 September 2010.  The vehicle had been examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations and the pass certificate was available for Members.

The owner of the vehicle attended the meeting by way of video conference and Members of the Panel had inspected photographs of the vehicle. 

Resolved – That the application to re-licence the Vauxhall Astra, registration number EY60 VDT be granted for a further six months.

The Director of Governance and Assurance reported upon an application received to re-licence a Citroen Relay, registration number NJ60 OAE, beyond the normal overage date for a licensed private hire vehicle.  The vehicle had been licensed as a Private Hire Vehicle since 6August 2018 and the current licence was due to expire on 5 August 2020.  The date of first registration of the vehicle was 17 September 2010.  The vehicle had been examined at one of the Council’s authorised testing stations and the pass certificate was available for Members.

The owner of the vehicle attended the meeting by way of video conference and Members of the Panel had inspected photographs of the vehicle. 

Resolved – That the application to re-licence the Citroen Relay, registration number NJ60 OAE be granted for a further six months.

Resolved - That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by paragraph 1 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.  The Public Interest Test had been applied and favoured exclusion.

The Director of Governance and Assurance submitted a report for Members to consider whether Mr BVV should continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence.

Mr BVV attended the meeting by way of video conference and made representations.  Members questioned Mr BVV.

Members considered carefully the representations made by Mr BVV.

In determining the matter Members also gave serious consideration to their overriding responsibility in respect of the protection and safety of the public.  The Panel applied the principle of proportionality enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998 and considered that in seeking to ensure the legitimate aim of the protection and safety of the public, a revocation of the licence with immediate effect was justified in the circumstances.

Resolved – That, in the interests of public safety, Mr BVV’s Private Hire Driver Licence be revoked with immediate effect. 

The Director of Governance and Assurance submitted a report for Members to consider whether Mr MJE should continue to hold a Private Hire Driver Licence.

Mr MJE attended the meeting by way of video conference and made representations.  Members questioned Mr MJE.

Members considered carefully the representations made by Mr MJE.

In determining the matter Members also gave serious consideration to their overriding responsibility in respect of the protection and safety of the public.  The Panel applied the principle of proportionality enshrined within the Human Rights Act 1998 and considered that in seeking to ensure the legitimate aim of the protection and safety of the public, a revocation of the licence with immediate effect was justified in the circumstances.

Resolved – That, in the interests of public safety, Mr MJE’s Private Hire Driver Licence be revoked with immediate effect.